Time Flies

A week of celebrations

2012-01-10T08:48:00.000-05:00

Bug's Lego Robotics Team at the Super Regionals in Warner Robins

Six times around the Sun for Little Bean. She choose to celebrate for the entire week...Lucky Girl!

First Week of Crafting Challenge

2012-01-05T13:59:00.000-05:00

My first week of my self challenged stop pinning start doing, I moved 4 pins into the "Made it" Board. Luckily it is Beans birthday week, so I had some motivation. I made the Deer family from this wonderful pattern by Bear Dance Crafts. Very clear directions and a wonderfully drawn pattern. The play scape comes from Wool Food Mama, and is a very well written tutorial. Lastly the Horse, which is quite lovely regardless of my horrible photo, came from a pattern made by woolhala, given to me by a friend for a Christmas gift. The best horse pattern I have used by far. All will come in a little woodland themed tote bag, Bean's " Granpa's farm " play scape. I hope she loves it!

First pictures of 2012

2012-01-03T12:56:00.000-05:00

Winter Light

Early Winter Tea Party

Happy New Year!

2012-01-01T08:38:00.000-05:00

A few New Year's Resolutions~

Take better care of myself, exercise more, eat less, limit caffeine(2 cups of coffee, not 5)worry less, do more yoga etc.

Intentional screen time, be mindful of computer time, be productive, not stagnant.

Be mindful of my time with my little ones, before they are to big to care anymore.

Take one,at least one photo a day, regain my eye.

A challenge- my Pinterest to do list, stop pinning start doing, get creative and journal it here every week.

Find farm, move...

Make my business happen.

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-28T11:38:00.000-05:00

Enjoying Solstice with friends for our yearly Cookie Decorating Party

Reading the Night before Christmas with Grammie listening for Santa's bells.

Finding Santa's sleigh bell in the garden

gettting ready

2011-12-12T15:17:00.005-05:00

Trimming the tree

making snowflakes and other decorations

cutting out and creating a menagerie of felted animals

my last craft show of the year

visting one of Santa's helper's

Since last we spoke

2011-12-01T12:35:00.000-05:00

Rainbows, parties, art festivals, holiday crafting have been taking up a lot of my time. My new obsession with pinterest is also causing issues. Here are some pictures of what we have been up to.

Whisper is gettting so big, the kids are loving playing with her. Her mama's and her auntie's bellies are getting round and full. We can't wait to see the babies in the Spring.

We sent our letters to Santa, our tradition ever since Riley was two.

Fall

2011-10-10T14:21:00.000-04:00

Early Fall has set in, crisp mornings and cool nights.

Thoughts of apple and pumpkin picking, harvesting the last of summers goodness.

Planning of our witches and wizards party is in full swing and my last two art

festivals of the season are on the horizon. Afternoon walks in the woods collecting acorns, chestnuts, and crab apples, so many reasons why fall is my favorite season.

We found a large river rock on our walk and thought this vintage

Doily my great grandmother would fit it perfectly.

Scenes from our weekend

2011-09-26T10:53:00.000-04:00

Bean trotting on Precious

Bean's new friend and a hopefully new mama

Birthday Girl 9 times around the Sun!

Slowly changing leaves

Scenes from our weekend...

2011-09-06T13:34:00.000-04:00

Friends, Family, and Frogs...all in all a good weekend.

Welcome September

2011-09-01T13:56:00.001-04:00

the beginning of my favorite season

birthday's~first mine and then Queen Bee's

The East Atlanta Strut, where I will be showcasing my wares.

Apples, apples and more apples~ heading to Ellijay once again

Leaves beginning to change, can't wait for the colors

Harvest moon~ beginning to think about a fall planting

Autumn Equinox at the Farm

Noticing

2011-08-24T11:24:00.000-04:00

that the days are getting shorter, a slight coolness in the air upon waking. So nice after this long hot Summer.
the quietness in the house since school has started, how I am starting to get into a rhythm of my own and enjoying it.
that I truly miss teaching. I didn't think it would happen. I noticed as I was discussing teaching gardening to my son's class, the tug on my heartstrings in the anticipation.
everything I am accomplishing since I have been home. How calm and happy my children are, so different than last year at this time.
a new life coming into this world in need of a felt jingly ball.

Easy Peasy to make find a big plastic bell, start wrapping your felt around it(I use natural wool for the center so as not to use up colored) dip it in hotish soapy water begin to felt your ball, then place it in a zip lock bag, so you can carry it around felting as you do all your chores. Finish it off by needle felting the heart on.

Take two and little things

2011-08-19T12:15:00.000-04:00

Summer didn't go as planned, we didn't get to do all the things on our list. No berry picking to be had, it was too hot after a very cold Spring, our garden also fell short with the temps in the 100's so early and for so much longer than normal. Our craft and activity list was only half way finished with gas prices and cost of goods so high. On the flip side we played a lot of games, took many walks, had fun at the Farm, and made our garden flags using the fast and easy gel glue with acrylic paint batik method.

We are trying again on our pumpkins, I am still determined to have some for the Witches and Wizard party in October, we shall see. How was your summer? Did you do all that you wanted to do?

WIP

2011-08-17T07:00:00.003-04:00

So much work is getting done in the quiet hours since school has begun. Have you ever noticed how loud silence can be? These are to be some quilted zipper bags for an upcoming craft show in September.

Grandmother Moon

2011-08-16T10:55:00.001-04:00

Grandmother Moon

Harvest Maiden

Finally finished and in the shop!

Wordless Wednesday- Negative and Positive

2011-08-10T15:42:00.001-04:00

First Day of School

2011-08-08T08:08:00.001-04:00

If ever there is a tomorrow when we are not together...Remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think, but the most important thing is even if we're apart I'll always be with you.-AA Milne

Of course they had homemade whole wheat donuts for breakfast!

My new creative space-Forgive the mess under construction

2011-08-04T11:10:00.003-04:00

We are turning the Front Room of our home in to my Studio. Somewhere to create and to utilize more fully that Fine Arts degree that has been left gathering dust and cobwebs for so long. I am thinking of so many possibilities and hoping brighter days are finally on the horizon. I am having trouble honing that energy into one medium at this moment, there is just too much I really want to do. I have missed my paint brushes and the smell of Stand oil, of the quietness of being in a darkroom and the possibilities photographs, real photographs bring. I love the feel of textiles and the texture of wool. So many possibilities, I am simply overwhelmed, but feeling hopeful.

A space of my own, but I will still share with my favorite little ones.

This week I...

2011-08-03T13:32:00.002-04:00

Dutifully worked untiringly trying to get my kids ready to go back to school. With some help from Grammie and Grandpa I think we just might make it. I am having a hard time dealing with the fact that I have three kids in school now, I mean three kids! The paper work alone gave me a hand cramp, can't they just make copies? Three kids, I can't decide if I should run down the street laughing maniacally or lay down and cry. Maybe I will just lay down.
After all the back to school frivolity we took a break and had a wonderful crafty friend over for a dyeing afternoon. A while back I was lucky enough to win Karen's Greener Shades Giveaway on her highly creative blog from Carcoar Pottery and Humming Alpaca. The dyes were beautiful, so easy to use, and so vibrant. With just the sample package we dyed over 4 pounds of fleece and 10 large silks (some scraps also for fairy making),not to mention had a simply marvelous day of crafting, laughter, children running rampant around our feet.

Today I am..

2011-07-29T10:00:00.003-04:00

Torn between happiness and sadness,

Wondering if I should worry more for Bean or her teacher,

Realizing that a chapter is ending in my life and a new one is beginning,

Hoping that she loves school as much as her brother and sister,

Praying that she isn't sent home on the first day,

Realizing that both of us will live through this, cry a little and move on.

My baby is growing up. Can your heart swell with pride and break at the same time?

We will be very busy preparing mentally and physically to return to school in the next. I hope everyone has a joyous and productive weekend.

WIP

2011-07-22T11:34:00.002-04:00

I love the feel of wool, the sensory experience of working with it in any form, and needle felting can be so grounding. We are leaving for a couple days in the country, I hope you have a joyful weekend.

Today I am...

2011-07-20T12:47:00.001-04:00

Grateful to the Sun for the beauty and bounty of Summer

Looking forward to the crisp, clarity of Fall mornings.

Accepting that this undying heat will have to continue, and

Looking here for more ideas to allow us some shelter from it.

Enjoying this blog more and more each time I read it.

Wishing I could wrap my little brain around html to make this page look the way what I want.

Working on more soft sculptures for my new Etsy store.

Enjoying my new studio and creative space more each day.

Dog Days

2011-07-15T12:14:00.003-04:00

We have been crafting so much this week, trying to catch up on our list of things we want to do this summer, before summer is over. Since it has been so hot you will find us either inside, crafting, or in the pool soaking, there really is very little else in 100 degree weather to do. We made finger knitted flowers and then I decided to make little babushka's for my little ones out of them. So sweet and easy. Just cut a FQ in half on the diagonal, then in half again to make two little triangles attach ribbons and flowers, done. A kerchief to keep you cool during these dog days we are having. I am so looking forward to a cool fall! Next week I will share another project we have been working on peace flags for our garden.
I hope you have a joyous weekend!

Blessings~Mandi

Scenes from our weekend

2011-07-12T13:53:00.001-04:00

We looked at more houses...I think we have set our goals and we know how to accomplish those first steps towards moving closer to my dad's farm on a little land of our own. We just need to get by a few obstacles and jump a few hurtles. We are on our way closer than I could have expected at least in our mindset. Here are a few shots from our days...

Fancy with her purse and cowboy boots...

Welcome Whisper...you have already brought so much joy

Watching a new life come into this world, beautiful!

A new brother sister activity...

Some reading for my new homestead..I hope!

What I have been up to...

2011-07-03T13:36:00.009-04:00

Pin cushions, lots of pin cushions. This one is made with a doily
my grandmother gave when I was a little girl. Now I can give Bee
back her poor mistreated doll I have been using as a pin cushion.

finding your passion

2011-07-02T10:28:00.003-04:00

It seems for some it is easy to find their passion in life, for some, like this passion flower vine that somehow found it way to my front yard and fought to flourish against odds in the rock hard red clay, it is more difficult. For me my passions are many, I am striving in vain it seems to focus on one, an attempt to stay away from being a "jack of all trades, master of none ". How does one accomplish this?

Today I am...
Lonely and ready for my family to come back from up north...
Sewing in an attempt to focus my creative energy...
Organizing my many projects and Hoping to complete them in a timely fashion...
Dreaming of a new business venture and the many ways to make it possible to
continue staying home with my B's...
Grateful for my family, friends, and a place to call home...

Scenes from our weekend

2011-07-01T07:58:00.000-04:00

Found outside a hunters cabin, bus with a chimney stuck to it for cooking

side view of bus

my favorite color

left behind

three of my favorite people

Summer

2011-06-20T16:25:00.000-04:00

However you celebrate the beauty of this season, may it be peaceful, bountiful, and joyous!

Blessings~ Mandi

This week I...

2011-06-17T08:51:00.000-04:00

Have been making more bags, lots of bags. Here are two that I am just in love with. First one from Sew Liberated, it is so cute and has a ton of room for all your goodies at the farmers Market. I had to change it a smidge, but it is mainly because of my inability to follow directions! There are so many projects in this book it is hard to decide what to do next, but I think it will be her Woodland Clock for me!

Next I made the Purse from Carefree Clothes for girls, I love it. Of course it is meant for little girls, but it's mine.I can't give it away...it's too cute. I made many more, but we shall save that for another day. I am loving that I finally have some time to sew and be with my kids at the same time. In fact Bee and Bean are sewing up a storm right next to me. It makes a momma proud.

Today I am...

2011-06-16T10:22:00.003-04:00

Inspired by Handmade home

Embroidery Pattern from Pattern Bee, and quilt squares made by my multi- talented Nona.

Comfrey

Pumpkin Blossom

my Fairy Bee from last years midsummer

Thankful for the support and assistance given to me by my friends and family in beginning a new phase of my life(more on that another day).

Grateful for the much needed rain we had last night.

Loving my little fairy bells and looking forward to tinctures, infusions, and salves made from my beautiful Comfrey.

Hopeful that this will be the year and squirrels will leave my pumpkins alone, we WILL have a pumpkin patch for our Witches and Wizards party in October.

Looking forward to Solstice filled with Mead, Laughter, Dancing, Fairies, and so many Blessings!

scenes from our weekend

2011-06-13T14:56:00.001-04:00

Found our little slice of heaven, everything was right including a fairy tree of our own, just not the right location, patience...

Picked figs, Muscadines, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries

at a generous new friends farm

Met Claude the cantankerous rooster, see his evil eye?

Reunited with an old friend and got new kitties for my dad's farm. All in all a wonderful few days, can't wait to go back, maybe sometime for good!

I hope your weekend was peaceful also!

a little patience...

2011-06-09T06:43:00.000-04:00

latest creation a little needle felted gnome home for little ones

aerial view of welcome mat

We are leaving today for the farm to bring little Whisper home,I hope. She is getting so big it is amazing how quickly they grow. I began needle felting again this week, taking a little sewing break. I have some more dolls to show , but it will have to wait, for now I have little ones behind me begging to get in the car and go. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Blessings...

Inspiring...

2011-06-04T10:42:00.000-04:00

echinacea

a friend in my fennel

Bee's first sunflower

workers

This week I ....

2011-06-03T08:26:00.000-04:00

Hung my Laundry out for the first time since the pollen count seemingly was in the trillions...

Wee Wonderful's pattern Spring Cleaning finally done.

Finished my second attempt( the first was too flimsy ) at this Bag from Last Minute Fabric Gifts for my mother .

Am now addicted to making these bags one for my ipod one for my camera...Next?

What did you do to express your creative side this week?

Friendship Bracelets

2011-06-02T10:05:00.004-04:00

Not to date myself, but when I was growing up there was a steady competition. Not so unlike that of the " silly band craze ", that wreaked havoc on the elementary schools in this country this year. The competition was between who could have the most " Swatch " watches on one arm and friendship bracelets on the other. My mother being the sensible, no nonsense woman she was, subscribed to the latter and bought me a packet of embroidery thread. The tradition of making a bracelet from some sort of string with your own hands.Then wearing it day in and day out all summer long till it rots off your arm should not be forgotten, in my humble opinion, it is a rite of passage along the same lines as sneaking out with your friends or getting your ears pierced for the " first time ". Unfortunately this important tradition hasn't seem to have caught on in my children's generation, but I aim to change that, starting with with my three B's.

" The easiest "of all friendship bracelets, or the twister-

1. Cut six threads about 24 in. long and tie a knot in top. Connect it to a clip board or a clip and note book like shown below.

2. make a " L " shape with your pointer and thumb ( kind of like a pretend gun).Collect all the threads together except one, wrap it around your thumb and lay it over the bunch, hold it with your pointer finger..

3. make a basic knot by going under the bunch of threads and through pulling tight at the end towards the right each time.

4. Continue this way switching colors when desired(make sure you return the used color to the bunch)

Thank you to Bee for being my hand model.

Have a wonderful summer break!

Blessings...

Summer addition of Rythmn of the home is up! Woot! Woot!

scenes from our weekend

2011-05-31T09:03:00.001-04:00

Bean trying to decide how to skip a rock really far..

Bee's Grammie gave her some money for making straights A's, since it was burning a hole in her pocket she promptly bought a face painting kit and proceeded to decorate the neighborhood children and herself.

This is Bee's fairy face.

Outside to make a fairy house in the garden

My dear friend Helen and I taught a Fairy House making class at our Community Garden this weekend. The kids where magical, I miss teaching, but this was enough to give me my "fix", and allow me to stay home with my family and work on other endeavors that I will begin talking about soon. we will be doing seasonal adult and children classes and I am thrilled for this opportunity.

What I have been up to...

2011-05-27T10:05:00.000-04:00

Bug helping me make my buttons

A couple of weeks ago I decided I needed to make my own wooden buttons. We found some falling Maple branches and peeled off the bark, We let it age for about a week so that it wouldn't split when we tried to cut it. Bug and I took turns making 1/4 in "branch cookies", let those rest over night and then made our button holes, sanded and coated them with beeswax polish. Beautiful! Now where to put then, I saw this post about making Elsie Marley' s Awesome Bag. What better way to use my handmade buttons!

On the inside is Raw Linen with Mother of Pearl buttons and a vintage doilie going down the side. AWESOME! I had two left over so I decided to make a carrying case for my new Blackberry and camera(camera case to come soon).

Hope everyone has a wonderful Weekend!!

Scenes from our weekend

2011-05-22T14:50:00.001-04:00

Inspiring colors and textures....

Fairy Tree's and " Fairy Wing's "...

Crystal decided to take a swim in the lake and we think aspirated some water into her lungs causing Pneumonia, my dad's vet was wonderful telling the B's everything that was going on and answering my thousands of questions. He let Bee even hear her heartbeat., she wants to be a large animal vet someday, so it was a real thrill.

" Dan " nicknamed Snowflake by Bean belongs to a friend

I think about when I began riding as a child. The awe I felt to be riding on the back of such a majestic, powerful animal. Then I watch my children and I wonder what they are thinking, and envy the joy of this first experience. Such a gift to be given..

Introducing Whisper, the newest member of our family....isn't she a beaut?

we're off...

2011-05-20T10:27:00.000-04:00

to the farm to see the new baby for the weekend, hope yours is wonderful!

A tutorial of sorts: Rag Balls

2011-05-19T11:24:00.007-04:00

Rag Balls for a braided rug hopefully not long in the future

Take an old sheet, old clothes, t-shirt any old thing you want really. Cut an inch and a half to 2 inch strip.

Now tear or cut if you don't want the frayed edges, it's more fun to tear.

Cut a hole like a button hole on each end of the strip.

Take two strips...Now marry the strips by taking on and, pulling the strips in one of the

hole and out the other. Pull tight.

now you can make a braided rug, knitted rug or a crocheted rug with all your rag balls.

Thanks to little Bean for being such a great helper and model.

My first attempt at a tutorial, still learning have patience.

Garden Goodness

2011-05-14T09:05:00.000-04:00

When I was little we played with all sorts of creepy crawlies from Daddy long-legs, to ants, to crayfish in the creek. For whatever reason it isn't often that I see little ones sitting on the side walk investigating what is crawling in the grass, which was one of my most favorite past times as a 6 year old, and one of the things my little ones love to do also. With that in mind, we also love our worm bin, for so many different reasons.

Mainly easy inexpensive composting, but also

we are able to reuse our scraps and paper easily and efficiently.

Worm casings are gold for our vegetable and herb garden,I can't tell you what a difference the addition has made. It is amazing!

Our kids love having the worms as their pets, to feed ,care for, and investigate.

One of the B's other pets, our part time free range suppose to be a dwarf, but wasn't rabbit Pippin

Do you have a worm bin? What is your child's favorite way to pass the doldrums away?

Happy Mother's Day!

2011-05-08T09:25:00.002-04:00

Hoping all you wonderful mama's out there enjoy your day!

Scenes from our weekend

2011-05-02T10:03:00.006-04:00

Horse Collar for pulling a cart

Various Harnesses hand made on the incredibly huge old sewing machine below

Beautiful Old Sewing machine used to sew saddles and the halters shown above

Beautiful, sweet Halflinger Yearlings soon will be matched up to form a pulling team.

Mama Paint getting ready to drop a foal, I so hope we get to care

for it and watch it grow up. One of two beautiful Mama Paints we hope
to be coming to my Dad's farm in the next couple of weeks along with their foals.

Edited to Add~ It's a Girl! So far it looks like a Buckskin, so beautiful. My sweet babes first filly...to love and care for. I am thrilled for them.

This weekend my sweet little ones went along with my Step-Mother to visit a remarkable man's farm and business. He has been a saddle maker for over 30 year's. He has made saddles for thousands including Ringling Brother's Circus, and the US military. The wonders his shop held, I could have hunted around there for days.

A belated Earth Day Post...part one

2011-04-26T10:30:00.000-04:00

My son was diagnosed with asthma at an early age and I began looking for ways to eliminate toxins from his environment. With help and inspiration from a book call the Household Detective and from the then called Children's Health Environmental Coalition, I began to make all the needed changes to our household, this was nine years ago. Today we have so many options available for nontoxic and environmentally safe cleaners, but I still really enjoy making my own and the money I save by doing it. I thought I would share some of my favorite recipes that have been inspired by a variety of resources.

All Purpose Cleaner

1 tsp baking soda(deodorizer)

2 tsp borax (disinfectant)

2 Tbls white vinegar(cleanser,disinfectant)

15 drops lavender oil

15 drops eucalyptus oil

10 drops tea tree oil

hot water to fill bottle

water needs to be hot to dissolve borax

1 tsp Dr.Bronner's Sal suds add last because it will bubble over*

Degreaser

2 tsp washing soda(strips grease)

4 Tbls White Vinegar

1/2 tsp sweet orange oil

2 Tbls. Lemon Juice(cleanser,grease cutter,deodorizes)

1 tsp Sal suds*

I use this recipe from Soulemama for my laundry, halving it because I have an HE machine, and really enjoy it. Some books I have found really useful and knowledgeable are Make your Place, The Herbal Home Remedy book, , and Better Basics for the Home.

* I like Sal suds for these recipes instead of Castile because the addition of vinegar creates a milky film that is very difficult to get off hard surfaces.

Scenes from our weekend

2011-04-25T12:47:00.004-04:00

The Quickest Easter Egg Hunt ever recorded, at Fern Bank Natural History Museum!

Putting out our Easter Eggs for the Easter Bunny with the verse " Come into my Garden Easter Bunny! "

My attempt at Fiona Duthie 's Little Sprouts

Wheat Grass filled baskets with homemade goodies.

Hoping everyone's weekend was filled with light and celebration of family and renewal!

Blessings~

Today I am...

2011-04-20T17:36:00.000-04:00

Reading this book and thinking of new and old ideas of enjoying nature with my family.

Working on little gifts for this weekend and thinking of new ones to create.

Thinking about Earth Day and joining in this endeavor.

Trying to remember to breathe deep....and slow down.

Scenes from our weekend

2011-04-19T21:21:00.001-04:00

Lemonade Stands, Park time, and old friends... a good weekend

Breakfast

2011-04-15T08:53:00.002-04:00

Chocolate Bread from Apples for Jam by Tessa Kiros
for them with raspberry jam.

Smoothie with homemade Kefir and homegrown greens for me

Today I am...

2011-04-14T09:48:00.001-04:00

water coloring tracing paper for stars

finished star in girls window

stars in kitchen window

Thankful...

for my home and the shelter and warmth it gives me.

for my friends and family and the knowledge that they are safe.

for the food in my pantry, on my table , and in our garden.

for the opportunity in it's simplest form to just do something.

Making the Water Color Window Stars, Tutorial found here at The Forest Room.

Dandelion Days

2011-04-13T21:21:00.002-04:00

Hoping your day is filled with light and the simple joy of picking dandelions.

Scenes from our weekend

2011-04-10T10:55:00.003-04:00

tired Cow Girl

early morning walk

Petula Crystal, Grandpa's new Horse,
mistaking my camera for an apple

View from Grandpa's Barn

Hoping your weekend was filled with Light.

Blessings...

Finding Balance...

2011-04-06T12:03:00.001-04:00

Finding Balance~

in what I think and do.

in what I feed my body and mind.

in my mothering time and my me time.

in discovering who I have been and who I would like to be.

related and unrelated this article has some wonderful incites on being an artist today, most powerful to me today is point 2. " Don't wait to know who you are to make things " Thanks Austin.

Spring Cleaning... Home and Heart

2011-04-05T09:28:00.000-04:00

Wheat grass seeds beginning to sprout

Planning ahead, real alive grass for the little B's baskets.

star in the girls room window

Washing away the old, keeping the house clean with three very active children and and one extremely large Lab, who is shedding her winter coat, always a challenge.

Crafting goodness for Easter Baskets

Enjoying getting back to work ....

Looking forward ...

Getting back to what I love...

2011-03-29T13:01:00.001-04:00

little Bean on our walk to the creek

Full time...nurturing my growing up to fast, not so little anymore little ones. Creating, growing, and making both what feeds our bodies and spirits.

sweet peas on the trellis Papa Bear Made

Tending our hearth and making sure that our home and family stays strong.

Dough Rising

I have spent the last 3 years giving away to much of myself and not keeping enough for those that matter including myself. Feeling it was necessary for the well-being of our family, not realizing the time I was losing. Now I am back home for good hopefully, setting my goals, taking my time, and re-learning to chase rainbows.

Violet Harvest

2011-03-25T17:27:00.000-04:00

I can get poison ivy at the mere thought of it, just someone mentioning it makes me itch. Therefore I am always on the look out for a means to heal quickly, last year I discovered Jewel weed Lotion, this year I wanted to add a healing salve to my herbal medicine cabinet.

We harvested our Violets for this wonderful healing salve this past week. Dried them in the oven on lowest setting as recommended, then placed them in a water bath. I have not had good luck with Solar infusions and quite frankly I was impatient. We let them sit all day in a close to simmer, it made the most beautiful oil, and the salve turned out wonderful. Very light and extremely fragrant.

Rebirth

2011-03-23T09:14:00.000-04:00

So much has happened in our world since last I posted instead of going into it. We shall just begin where we left off and start again. I feel as if this is a good way to start over, with the renewal of the earth and the birth of spring. A new beginning.

new issue!

2010-09-02T06:04:00.000-04:00

The new Rhythm of the home autumn issue is out! There is a fabulous giveaway on there blog!

Fireflies

2010-06-09T08:39:00.005-04:00

I remember Summer, running out to meet the Sun with the joy and freedom of childhood. Staying out till dark, splashing in the creeks, swimming pools, games of kick the can, watermelon spitting contests, oh yes and fireflies.

the lantern Miss Izzy made to house her beloved fireflies, the girls watch
them for awhile then bid them farewell sending them
with blessings to find their true loves quickly

Little Bean making sure they are still lighting up and happy

My little ones swear they can catch more fireflies
dressed this way...

this moment

2010-06-04T09:19:00.003-04:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see. from Soulemama

I will talk more about our adventures this past year in the morning. Has everyone seen the giveaway from Rhythm of the Home.

Since last we talked...

2010-03-11T16:29:00.002-05:00

time flies on

2009-06-10T06:37:00.002-04:00

We continue on unpacking, playing, gardening, creating, school's over, camp begins, an new day dawn's and we begin again.

I will post more about all that has been happening soon!

I am still here!

2009-04-05T09:00:00.002-04:00

Crazy working on packing the house, getting ready to be a matron of honor for my best friend, giving a shower, new job teaching little ones... and Sweet Bella accidentally broke my camera, so will post again when things work themselves out.

She's got it!

2009-03-09T09:13:00.003-04:00

I couldn't be more thrilled. It seems we have sat down a million times. Bug , Bella and I practicing, striving to learn, going through the motions. It would go in one ear and out the other. There goes my mom's voice again. Bug, when he was little would say " Mama teach me to knit. " "I'd love to. " I would say. And we would get out his knitting supplies and sit down comfortably together and start the Rhyme...

" IN the woods goes the hunter, ROUND the tree goes the dog, OUT pops the rabbit, and OFF they run."

Bug would them begin frantically stabbing at the ball of yarn, saying he was knitting a sweater for Papa Bear. When Bella was old enough same thing, though it was because she was mimicking Bug, at least I don't think I look like that when I knit. Hmmm. I began to wonder if along with my ambidexterity (which causes some left/right confusion on my part)they also got that stubborn streak I had also inherited. Finally we put it away and tried not to give up. Maybe Bean would be my knitter, Bella and Bug liked to sew and embroider after all.
For Christmas Santa delivered into our stockings Knitting towers from my favorite shop Nova Naturals. And my love, my sweet girl picked it up and she "GOT IT "! Finger knitting also. I believe we are on our way to getting those #10 straights back out of the closet.

Fancy Fancy

2009-03-06T06:44:00.002-05:00

Beautiful dress up Cocktail Aprons! They aren't just for Baking anymore. Enter to win Here.
Yes, Mom you and Nona can enter also!

Finally

2009-03-05T19:57:00.004-05:00

Finally things have melted, our unseasonal weather has ended. We are back to normal, whatever that may be. Looking at the pictures above I feel so grateful that all my children are able to sit and quietly pursue some activity of choice, finally. I think it is a rare gift to enjoy companionship and solidarity all at once. To just be and be "OK" with that. Finally we are getting there.

Snow day

2009-03-02T08:37:00.006-05:00

Slipping, Sliding, Sledding, Sloshing. Do you remember Snow Days? Snow Balls, Snow Angels, Snow Forts, Snow Wars. Sticking out your tongue to catch and taste your very first Snowflake. No two are alike, you know? Riding on Trash can lids, card board boxes, or anything else an imaginative mind can find. How fast can you go? I'll go faster, I know! The day seemed so short as wet toes begin to sting, but always inside a loving hug and homemade Hot Cocoa to warm you through. Do you remember your first Snow Day? I do...

Bows and Arrows

2009-02-22T07:49:00.005-05:00

The half Giant half Cave Troll wanders through the woods with her baby cuddled tightly to her, feeling somewhat misunderstood. Suddenly arrows fly past her. Where did they get arrows? This was new; swords yes, but arrows.The baby known as Siren begins to scream. The archers run towards her dropping to their knees before her. Her powers of mind control still working. Mama begins a lullaby lulling their enemies to sleep. Silently they walk on undisturbed by the flight of arrows.

This is a picture of the never before seen baby half Giant half Cave Troll Siren demonstrating her powers of Mind Control

Pictured above two of the three fearless warriors in pursuit.

We had a lot of trimming to do this weekend and had the random thought of making handmade bows and arrows. Why not? They won't cost anything. Tree Branches, a mail tube, canvas, hemp twine and we are done. They work too! Who would have thought!
We are going to make Wands next weekend(lots of sticks). Has anyone done this, made wands I mean? Let me know how you did it?and What and if it worked well for you?

A bit late

2009-02-18T11:08:00.005-05:00

Valentine's Day has come and gone... again not one of my favorite holidays. The commercial world puts way to much pressure on us to perform in some way sometimes foreign to people. Not everyone is all that mushy, at least not me. But in saying that I am a sucker for some good heart love!

Above the photo for this years family Valentine Card

I made Lazy Day Skirts again for the girls. I love this pattern, so easy. I feel like a genius everytime I make one. I am next going to make one with an apron like this one. So cute! I need to get some ever allusive dollars to buy some of Liesel's other patterns. I am just glad Spring is coming. Warm weather clothes are much easier for me!

Spring Soon?

2009-02-05T16:48:00.003-05:00

I had started typing this post Tuesday. The weather this weekend was so beautiful, but now we are back to normal, freezing. We put out seed for the wee animals and birds and they have begun to flock back. We made our nesting bags and watch eagerly as the Sparrows and Finches come to gather supplies. Starting to look at seeds in Whole Foods the other day. The Fairy Garden packet caught Bella's eye, Emma pumpkins of course. I am thinking of putting out a Red Wheat plot this year so we can try making meal in the fall. If any one knows about doing this or where to get seed let me know?

Two notes for all you interested bloggers and gardeners out there. Free issues to read online of Organic Gardening, found via You Grow Girl, and the Crafty Crow, is having a great giveaway of the Book of Days from Blue Yonder.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week!

Re-building Fairytopia

2009-02-02T10:09:00.003-05:00

The kids keep asking if their Fairy Houses are still at the other house and if I think the fairies believe we've forgotten them. So we made new ones finally this weekend, a little pre-Spring sunshine came upon us. Bella sewed little bags to hold berries. Tree houses were made, Gourd homes, playgrounds, kitchens, a wonder of DIY skill.

First

2009-01-27T14:48:00.003-05:00

Isabella's first patchwork project. Only the beginning...

Inspired

2009-01-22T09:25:00.006-05:00

I finished Bean's Lyra Hat finally and am starting on a new one for Bella. I am having trouble twisting the ties so that they still look fluffy, not tight. Also keeping them twisted once I get them nice and fluffy. If anyone out there can give me a hint , I would love it?!

I haven't been knitting much lately, but was inspired by Leslie's creation. I am using this green yarn pictured here, and maybe some mittens. It is time Mama had something new, I do believe.

What A Long Strange trip it's been!

2009-01-20T09:50:00.006-05:00

I don't like to talk Religion or Politics in this space. I have always wanted it to be a positive space to share with family and friends. Maybe that will change now, for a new Day(reign) has come, thank you very much . Today anything is possible.

Edited to add See mom I fixed it!

Finally getting things done!

2009-01-19T06:41:00.002-05:00

Draft dodgers done x's four. It has been a little chilly in this drafty old house. Papa Bear is feeling better, so things are starting to get accomplished. Maybe I will even clean my quilting mess off the dining room table, so we can actually eat there. Horrible picture, but it is a horrible mess!

Check out another great giveaway on the Crafty Crow

Yesterday

2009-01-15T16:45:00.005-05:00

Not Bella, but Bean you get the picture

Walking home from school-

Bug " Close your ears mama, Bella's being Gross"

Bella " am not!"

Mama " What's up Bella?"

Bella " I am getting married. "

Bug " See Gross! "

Bella " You can't stop true love, Riley! "

Mama "Am I invited?"

series of eye rolling and gagging sounds insue

My Oven Died

2009-01-15T09:40:00.002-05:00

I don't like to admit to the outside world that I have troubles. I would like to be that mom that is always in control, or at least seen by others to be. right!? My troubles are cascading a little right now, so I must concentrate on something that I can control, maybe? My oven died last night. Luckily I had already made the Cardamom-cinnamon rolls I was taking to school for the teacher appreciation breakfast. One commitment fulfilled...I called my landlord, it is so hard to not be in control of fixing this problem, leaving it to someone else and to their time frame, I am used to taking care of my own home. I guess not anymore, I will have to get used to a little less control. The workman can't come till Friday afternoon. Fine we will have soup again... I have to remember my mantra " This too shall pass, This too shall pass". So since I can't bake I suppose I will sew, or maybe knit. Or I can take advantage of the best blog entry ever! Things are already looking brighter.

Rhythms

2009-01-09T21:42:00.007-05:00

We have fallen back into old habits lately. I would like to say it has just been the holidays, but I believe it started long before that. With the stress of the move and the pressure of doing my first show we have been watching more and more Television. Living through a screen and not through our own eyes. Over the holidays with each of us taking turns being ill, the weather being dreary, and Papa Bear leaving town; movie night took a changed from once a week to every night. A little reading, a little crafting, some game playing, but mostly the television. Ughh!
We are now trying to return to our habits before Papa Bear started working days, it is so difficult to change sometimes. But the kids seem more cooperative, less harried, well rested, and centered.
Bella got two packs of Fairy playing cards from eeboo, they are so beautiful and such fun. All of us can play even Bean with a little help. New books to read and enjoy, a little down time to just play , new activities and old ones, it is definitely time to just breathe and to begin anew. Hopefully this will become our new habit. Sincerely hoping you are having a peaceful weekend.

Handmade birthday!

2009-01-07T12:51:00.007-05:00

Little Red Riding Hood for Little Bean this Year! Her Cake topper looked just like this except that Bean had to pull her hood off to put the candle in. Her basket filled with felt cookies for Grandma.

Bean's birthday ring always the same, she is my only winter baby. Her newest Birthday Crown.

Last Little Red Riding Hoods Cape. Embroidered with " If Found please return to Grandma's house...Grrr! signed BBW "on the back, and a smiling new 3 year old on the front!

Three!

2009-01-05T09:02:00.000-05:00

Your's is the birth story I am so fearful to tell. I look back and feel the overwhelming helplessness again. None of my birth stories have been ideal they have all not been as expected or desired, but those were mostly fears about myself, with you little Bean it was different. I am so glad you are here with me now, you are three, a vivacious, spunky three. You cut your own hair because you could, you climb moutains , you walk on tight ropes and tame lions. You are wonderful and I love you for everything you are. My Tinker Bell.

Happy 2009

2009-01-02T09:00:00.003-05:00

New Year has come and gone. I must say it has never been my favorite day. But ours was lovely and relaxing. Bug stayed up to ring in the new year even though Grammie and I were draggin'. His resolution this year was not to worry so much and to do more Yoga. Bless him he is like an old man sometimes. I keep telling him he is going to have a heart attack before he is 10.
I made some resolutions this year also.

Do yoga everyday , no matter what, no excuses even if I can only get in one Sun Salutation.

Cut Coupons I hate doing this it is so tedious

Learn to Crochet I have all this sheets my friend gave me all ready in rag balls to make a rug, now I just have to learn to crochet!

Learn to Weave reminds me must get a lap loom!

Live Sustainably it has always been a priority to keep earth day everyday around here, but I must say I have slacked a bit since we moved to Atlanta, in this economy everything is so expensive...
So I want to get a Rain Barrel, Compost Bin and Bucket(again), start our garden, build a clothesline, Recycle more and on and on. I make my own cleaners, I will post the recipes soon because they really work and I love them, but we can definitely do more.

Get organized always a resolution!

Write here more often and work on making my site better organized and more personal.

Start my Esty Store I tried my first craft show this winter and where it was a lot of fun and successful; I think I am better suited to a storefront. It took so much time a way from my family getting ready, and that is the reason I stay home in the first place!

Potty Train Emma-number one priority!

Keep my resolutions!

What are your resolutions for 2009?

Christmas continues

2008-12-30T10:00:00.000-05:00

Flurry to get Santa's cookies ready. Yes, we heard the sleigh bells this year again during Daddy' s reading of Twas' the night before Christmas, our signal it is time for bed, works like a charm. Thanks Santa!

Italian Sprinkle Cookies not the recipe I use but it looks about the same and yummy also!
Yes Little Bean gave herself a haircut, we call her Little Britney now! She likes Pixie better! She is waiting for Bug and Belle first stage performance on Christmas Eve! They were hits!

The Shortest Day of the Year!

2008-12-22T09:32:00.004-05:00

Yule Log

Handmade Sun Ornaments for three

Handmade Candles finally lit

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-19T15:42:00.003-05:00

"Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. " -Oren Arnold

For all of you I wish for peace, of heart and on Earth.

I will be back to share some pictures of our Solstice Celebration and Holiday Celebrations, but I wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Blessed Holiday Season.

Perfect Mom

2008-12-18T08:42:00.004-05:00

Today of all day I needed to read this. My littlest is sick. I can't fix her, and I have two parties to go to, at school, that I helped plan and was in charge of. I've dropped the ball and other " more perfect " mom's than I have to pick up my slack. I didn't get everyone's teacher and helper presents done, my house is a mess, and the laundry piled up again. I am not a religious person per say., but I am a spiritual one. I needed to have someone say it is ok not to be able to do it all. Thank you for leading me to the link and Thank you for writing this Jessica...

Handmade

2008-12-17T13:15:00.002-05:00

Some day's I wonder will my kids look back on all the toys, ornaments, dolls, etc. I make them and think "Wow my mom was cool" or will they think "Dang my mom sure was nuts"? Because if it's the later I could use some sleep.

Simple pleasures

2008-12-16T13:13:00.000-05:00

They're off!

2008-12-09T09:09:00.002-05:00

Every year around this time we begin our holiday season...Daddy's first day off we trim our tree, Saint Nicolas Day he fills our boots with goodies and then we send our letters to Santa using Balloon power. My kids love it. Every year one of the kids balloons has trouble whether it gets stuck in a tree, falls behind, or has some other malfunction. This year it was Riley's. My kids are so sweet..they cheer, they worry, they wait, until all the balloons have disappeared into the sky.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T11:29:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Blustery

2008-11-21T11:20:00.005-05:00

Something I am loving right now is wool socks, not cute mind you my husbands camping socks actually, but I love them I am on the search for some cute ones. Anyone know where I can get some? I guess I could knit some, but at the rate I knit, and the fact that I have overburdened myself with volunteering, and decided to do my first ever craft fair next month; they wouldn't be done until next winter. But it is especially blustery right now and my feet are very cold. So if anyone has any recommendations send them my way!
Last weekend we went to the Waldorf School of Atlanta's Fall Festival, it was so much fun, Candle dipping, gourd Painting, wonderful toys, best of all nothing from Oriental Trading Company. It was so nice and peaceful, the toys in the store were beautiful.
On that note, I am about to start my annual "Quality versus Quantity" campaign with my family for Christmas. I really have for the most part given up. Last year's slogan was "If you don't want you gift to end up at our yearly garage sale..." before that I sent pictures of the kids on top of their beds not being able to walk on the floor due to all the toys surrounding their beds like a moat. Maybe this year...

2008-11-12T10:31:00.003-05:00

Last night was our annual bonfire we have on Martinmas, I love to start talking now before Thanksgiving about what we are thankful for now and how blessed we are as a family. The kids like to tell stories and eat marshmallows. Papa Bear and I celebrated with a glass of wine, a relaxing evening for all. Even our nature table got into the bonfire mood this year. This year I am thankful that Papa Bear could join us and wasn't working for the first time. It almost didn't happen we had to leave our fire pit in South Carolina during the move, and I didn't think our landlord would appreciate me lighting a fire in the backyard. Thanks grandpa for saving our tradition by bringing the fire pit and firewood!

Eight!

2008-11-09T09:39:00.002-05:00

Happy Birthday my not so little bug! It seems like just yesturday I could hold you in m arms, now you are almost as tall as me. You are my friend, my greatest helper, and my little hero. I'm not sure what I would do without you. I look at you and see the person I strive to be. As honest as the days long , you are wonderful. Thank you for blessing my life.

Happy Belated Anniverary!

2008-11-03T08:00:00.002-05:00

On October 3 we were married for ten years. It has been a struggle that is for sure.Filled with ups and downs. Those ten years gave new meaning to the saying " What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. " But we are still here supporting each other, loving one another, and raising our little family. We made it maybe not exactly how we expected or hoped, but we are still here, trying, fighting for what we want...together. Isn't that what it is all about.

edited to add: I meant to publish this earlier but time is once again getting away from me. Why again did I volunteer to be room mother and ten other things?

Pumpkin of Emma's dreams

2008-10-31T11:57:00.000-04:00

I hope everyone finds the pumpkin of their dreams also! Have a spooktacular Halloween and a wonderfully peaceful weekend!

Apple Festival and Pumpkin Picking

2008-10-28T10:37:00.004-04:00

Last weekend we went to Ellijay, Georgia for their annual Apple Festival. We had a really wonderful time, but I guess it was a little anti-climatic for me. It was tourist-y and expensive. Instead of feeling like I was at an Apple Orchard I felt like I was a Disney Land or back in Myrtle Beach. My goal for next year is to find the place no one goes instead of where everyone goes. I am still getting used to the fact that there is so many people living here in Atlanta. When we used to go to a farm a crowd is like 10-20 people, now we are faced with hundreds. Craig has decided that " Apple People are crazy " we went to an orchard on the way out of town to get some cider for the kids, who were at this point"dying" they were so thirsty. The store was so packed with people almost in a panic, maybe they were going to run out of apples , not sure. Craig said one woman knocked Emma down on the ground and then some man pushed him into a table causing him to cut his leg. Crazy I tell you!After we left the Apple Festival we went to a pumpkin patch on the way home in Dawson, Ga. Unfortunatly,(so this is all you get Grandparents) I didn't get to take the normal 400 pumpkin patch pictures I normally take do to the enormous crowd. I was just trying to keep Emma in tow. Next year we will grow our own pumpkin, I think.

Fall...

2008-10-17T13:49:00.007-04:00

Fall is a good thing. The subtle changes in the weather. The air seems sleepy, it is easier to breathe somehow. I love to walk in the morning when the crispness of the air just begins. Seeing the reds, yellows, and oranges replace the brightness of the greens. I was born in an Indian Summer, married during an end of season hurricane, the majority of my babies arrived in the crispness of fall, I think I may just request that I be buried in fall. How lucky we are to have this season, to experience it's beauty.It has been a long time since I have gotten to experience seasons changing and I am so happy to see Fall again.Very little to do with the post, but these are the Gnomes I made for Emma's School's Fall nature table.

To little time

2008-10-14T09:34:00.007-04:00

I am not to good at keeping up with this, I apologize. When I was little I always wanted one of those diaries that had the Princess on the front and that lock with the sweet little key. My mom must have known I wouldn't keep up with it because I never did get one (that along with the pink pony real pony still torments me today. These are one of the many reasons I am saving up for my daughters Counseling bills and not so much college. I figure the whole " no boob ", ie no barbies, no brats, no plastic dolls in general, rule on dolls will come back and haunt me someday.) I am trying to be better about writing everyday, after all this is mainly for my mom, you know the one that nixed the whole pink pony idea. So for last week....My son and DH went on their first campout with Cub Scouts last weekend. Both had a blast declaring that there is nothing better than camping! So glad to hear this because I love camping and have been trying to persuade DH to go since the last time I took him camping 12 years ago at Hunting Beach.
This left the girls and I home alone to see how much trouble we could get into. So a weekend of nail painting, henna tattoos and sewing ensued. It was lovely, but I felt exhausted by the time the boys finally came home. The skirts are from Oliver + S, a wonderful easy tutorial ecspecially if it is your first time sewing clothes. We wanted to do the tattoos for her birthday, but I am glad we waited for " Girl's alone time " as Bella called it.

My fall colors

2008-10-02T15:23:00.001-04:00

My fall colors... I have two hats, a big blanket, and a couple scarves on the needles now. I love fall, big, chunky, colorful wool yarn. It will be the first winter in a long while where I will actually be able to knit with nice heavy wool. If Emma would stop stealing my counters every time I turn around I might actually finish something. I seem to remember another little girl that did this at this age also. Isabella frustrated me so much with my knitting when she was a baby, that I gave up doing anything more mind straining than garter stitch. I need to find new hiding places...

Baby School

2008-09-26T10:35:00.006-04:00

Little Bean is attending a Progressive Preschool, at the Unitarian Church we attend on Sunday's. I can't say enough praise about both. I wasn't going to send her to school at all, she's my last and I miss her terribly when she is gone. But we found this school and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to allow her to explore. It is wonderful. They bake, garden, dance, do yoga, paint. They talk about the environment and how to sustain it. I am so thankful that she has this opportunity. In a perfect world all kids would go to a school where imagination and creative was encouraged, where being different was thought as cool, or at least good, where emphasis was put on sustenance of spirit and body, instead of just academics. In a perfect world it wouldn't be about just test scores, it would about being a well rounded individual, a free thinker.

More...

2008-09-25T10:11:00.000-04:00

For me Birthday's are so important and it's not about the presents, although that is fun. I try not to make things to much about what they get. It's not about " keeping up with the Joneses' ". We couldn't do all that even if I wanted to. It is about celebrating a gift that was given, Life. Maybe it was because my pregnancies were so hard and deliveries were brutal. I'm not sure, but I try to keep my little ones birthday's as peaceful and loving as possible. I made Birthday rings depicting the season that they were born in to hang over their chair. A place of honor, to make them feel as special as they are. Special plates only they get to use on their special day. Every year I make( or buy handmade) a different crown for them to wear. This year I made one from The Creative Family. A special cake. I am still trying to figure out the ancient oven we have in this house so it came out lopsided, but yummy, with a princess on top. I think it was a good day.

two hands

2008-09-23T12:18:00.000-04:00

Today my violet eyed beauty you turn six. Two hands, how can it be? It amazes me daily how wonderful you are. How much better my world is with you in. Daily you teach me something new about myself and about this world we share. Striving to keep up with your vibrancy , your exuberance can be exhausting sometimes, but always worth the struggle. Thank you for choosing me. Happy Birthday

PS I will be back tomorrow Posting again. I think I finally have got a handle on the complications that our moving caused, both for our household and my psyche. I am trying to remember to just BREATH.